Boeing B-17 bomber June 25 2012

A Boeing B-17 bomber “Nine-o-Nine” stopped in Sandpoint Idaho on June 25, 2012 and I was there to record the amazing sound this plane makes with the Sennheiser MKH-8040ST. It was a beautiful, sunny summer day out on the airfield. I had no idea this plane was going to be in town that day. I only found out as I was recording bullet impacts and I heard this faint rumble-drone sound. I looked up and saw a B-24 bomber heading my way.

I quickly grabbed the microphone I was recording with and pointed it skyward and there she was… low and flying right over me. I figured where there was a B-24, there was a B-17. I gathered my gear and drove the 10 miles to Sandpoint Airport and they were there… the Boeing B-17 and B-24.

I waited around and talked to the pilots and they told me they would be taking off around 5PM to give some passengers a ride. I was going to take a ride with and record the flight but since they were going to be in town for a couple of days I decided to catch the flight the next day. I wanted to get some new exterior sounds in HD first as I have not recorded this airplane since 1996 in Seattle.

I was able to get a position directly in front of the airplane as it was starting up and taxiing away. I had enough time to get over to the far end of the runway away from the crowd and do more recording. I was able to record the take-off, a fly by and the landing. All in all it was a good day and some helicopters were flying around also and I will post those someday.

Recorded with A sennheiser MKH-8040ST in XY at 24/96. Enjoy! -Frank